Economic Development

Governor Pat McCrory issued the following proclamation designating today as “Small Business Saturday 2015” here in North Carolina: A Proclamation WHEREAS, the State of North Carolina celebrates our local small businesses and the contributions they make to our local economy and community; and WHEREAS, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration, there are currently an […]

Lawmakers tell audience of goal to use lower-cost energy Two prominent state lawmakers pushing to make North Carolina’s energy policy more friendly to consumers say they will press vigorously for freezing or reducing state mandates to use more renewable energy when the General Assembly returns for the 2016 short session. “We are not a least-cost […]

[youtube_sc url=”https://youtu.be/kq5NWrZEf7A” width=”590″ modestbranding=”1″ autohide=”1″ fs=”1″ border=”1″ hd=”1″] North Carolina was recognized as one of the nation’s leading tech states by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation during a press conference yesterday in the Old House Chamber of the North Carolina State Capitol. Governor Pat McCrory was joined by Carolyn Cawley, Managing Director of the U.S. […]

From Forbes Magazine: North Carolina moves up one spot to rank second. The Tar Heel State is the only one to appear in the top five every year of our Best States study. North Carolina has the smallest union workforce in percentage terms in the U.S., which keeps costs down. Labor costs are 10% below the […]

At a signing ceremony this morning at the GE Aviation plant in Wilmington, Governor Pat McCrory proclaimed September 28 through October 2 “Manufacturing Week.” GE Aviation develops and produces the world’s most advanced composite components for jet engines and the company is continuing to expand operations in its various facilities across North Carolina. Manufacturing is North Carolina’s largest industry […]

Yesterday, the House passed House Bill 117, the “NC Competes” Act, with a bipartisan vote of 84-24. This major package of economic development initiatives offers several targeted tools designed and proven to spur job growth and encourage business investment in North Carolina. Representative Bell supported the legislation. House Bill 117 now goes to Governor Pat McCrory for his signature. The Governor was an […]

Tonight, the North Carolina House of Representatives passed a bipartisan State Budget by a vote of 80-35. Representative Bell voted with all of his Republican colleagues and nine moderate Democrats in support of the plan. The budget, which covers funding for Fiscal Year 2015-2016 and Fiscal Year 2016-2017, invests more in government functions — including public education […]

As we mentioned the other day in our post delineating the many highlights of the proposed state budget, there’s a provision to expand the state’s sales tax base (not the rate) in order to help North Carolina’s poorer counties to build schools, community colleges, and attract employers; to see how the new money will be distributed, have […]

House Speaker Tim Moore and Senate Leader Phil Berger led a joint press conference yesterday afternoon to announce details of the $21.735 billion budget agreement reached by members of the House and Senate this past weekend. The compromise plan includes a responsible 3.1 percent spending increase, invests hundreds of millions of additional dollars in public education and other […]

After taking a contemplative drive around Charlotte, Governor Pat McCrory signed legislation into law last week that establishes a uniform operating framework for “ridesharing” services in North Carolina. Ridesharing companies offer consumers an alternative to traditional taxicab services by connecting passengers to private individuals who provide them with paid rides. This peer-to-peer connection is accomplished using free, easy-to-use apps on smartphones, smartwatches, and other mobile […]